Have you got a new tree or shrub and wonder about the best way to plant it?
How you plant a tree has a lot to do with how it establishes itself in your lawn and grows.
Your tree will require profound care during its first few years. Still, it all goes down to how well you planted it.
To see your shrubs and trees thrive in your garden, you must give them the perfect start.
In this article, lawn care Fort Worth will share the 9 steps to plant trees and shrubs to ensure they grow strong and healthy.
Steps to Perfectly Plant a Tree or Shrub on Your Lawn
Ready to plant your brand-new tree or shrub and watch it grow beautifully?
These are the steps lawn care professionals advise you to follow:
- Prepare The Soil and Dig a Hole
Every plant in your garden feeds from the nutrients in your soil. They need those nutrients to live, grow, and get their vibrant colors.
Therefore, before planting a new tree, you must ensure your soil is ready to receive it.
To begin with, clean the planting area, leaving it free from rocks, roots, existing vegetation, and other debris.
Once the area is cleared, prepare the soil by adding organic matter, such as homemade compost, to enhance its fertility and structure.
You can also perform a soil pH test and adjust it to create a suitable environment for the tree of your choice.
- Dig A Hole
The next step involves measuring and digging the hole.
Measure the tree’s root ball to ensure you dig a hole with the right proportions.
The hole has to be three times the width of the root ball and exactly the depth from the root collar to the bottom of the root ball (to ensure the root collar is not buried).
A buried tree collar will stay moist, eventually rotting and killing the tree.
We advise planting up to 25% of the root ball above the surrounding ground level.
- Get The Plant Ready
Once the soil is ready, it’s time to take care of the tree or shrub.
While working on the soil, soak the tree to ensure the root ball is thoroughly soaked.
A dry root could reject the water from its new surroundings.
- Remove The Burlap Sack or Bucket
Squeeze the side of the bucket and gently remove the tree.
If the tree is stuck, cut and take away the twine and string securing the burlap.
Do it with extra care to avoid damaging the tree root ball.
- Carefully Place The Tree or Shrub in The Hole
The moment you have been waiting for has finally arrived; it’s time to plant the tree on your lawn.
Delicately place the tree in the hole you dug.
Remember: the most critical part of this step is ensuring the root flare stays above the surrounding ground.
One easy way to confirm this is to get down on the ground and place your head near the edge of the hole to ensure the collar root is above ground.
- Backfill The Hole – Use Soil and Compost
After ensuring the tree trunk is straight, it’s time to backfill the hole.
This is also an excellent opportunity to use organic material to give your tree a nutrient boost.
Pack the dirt you removed to make the hole around the bottom third of the root ball to hold the tree in place.
Then, use a mix of soil and high-quality compost (you can purchase it or make it yourself). Use compost—not fertilizers.
Extra tip: break down any large clumps.
- Compress The Soil and Mulch
Use your foot or other garden equipment to gently compress the soil around your newly planted tree.
Be careful. You don’t want to overly compact the soil and cause air and water flow issues.
- Add Wood Chips
You can add wood chips around the hole as an extra protection step.
Wood chips will keep the tree root safe, preserve moisture, and add essential nutrients to the soil.
- Water Your Newly Planted Tree!
The hard work of planting a tree or shrub is done!
And now what?
You’ll spend the next two years watering the tree.
How to tell if your tree needs watering? Grab some soil from the base of your tree and squeeze it. If you squeeze water out, your tree is properly watered. However, if the soil is dry and dusty, it’s time to water it again.
Ready To Plant Your Dream Garden?
Planting a tree and watching it grow is an enriching experience everyone should have at least once.
You can do it on your own or make it a family activity.
Remember to follow the steps from this guide to ensure your tree or shrubs are perfectly planted and have a good chance of growing strong and healthy.
